A long time ago the year was marked out with special days which marked the passing year. These were days of celebrations where people would do things, eat things or make things which they would not normally do.

Soul Cakes would be taken door to door by children, who would
exchange them with householders for gifts of sweets, pennies, and this
would be good luck for both parties. Soul-caking
has survived throughout the west midlands, from Coventry to Manchester
to Sheffield
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The most famous Bonfire Night celebrations take place at Lewes East Sussex, where there is a torch light procession bfore the lighting on the bonfire.

Tar-Barrel Racing Ottery St Mary, Devon

Ottery St. Mary is internationally renowned for its Tar Barrels, an old custom said to have originated in the 17th century.

The annual event involves people racing through the streets of the town, carrying flaming wooden barrels of burning tar on their backs.

Turning the Devil's
Stone -
Shebbear, near Holsworthy

On Guy Fawkes night, the
villagers of Shebbear in Devon, turn over a six feet long stone under an ancient
oak tree. While it is not known for how long the practice of turning the stone has been going on, there is a
wealth of legend surrounding it and as to how it arrived.

One theory is that it was dropped by the Devil himself
when he was cast out of heaven by St Michael.

23 NovemberOld Clem's Night

The traditional blacksmith's day
Held in honour of St Clement, patron saint of Blacksmiths.